This Week’s Feature Author Interview with
Rita Lee Chapman
Hi Rita Lee Chapman, welcome to the Indie Publishing Group website. Introduce yourself to us. Tell everyone who you are, where you’re from, what do you enjoy doing, hobbies and interests.
Hi Ben. Thank you so much for granting me an interview with the Indie Publishing Group. I’m Rita Lee Chapman and I’ve just self-published my fourth book. I was born in London but moved to Australia in my early twenties, where I’ve enjoyed the outdoor lifestyle. We moved to Queensland when we retired after spending our working life in Sydney, which we still love to visit. I didn’t publish my first book until I retired although I’d always loved writing. Naturally I’m an avid reader but I also enjoy playing tennis, swimming and walking our wonderful beaches, rivers and lakes.
When did you start writing and why?
I’d always wanted to write a book and had started a few times. I finally sat down to write seriously during a particularly wet spell of weather once I had retired.
Which is your favorite book you have written and what gave you the idea for it?
Winston – A Horse’s Tale is my favourite because I love reading about horses. It was written from my own experiences with horses and was very easy to write.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
Turning now to my latest book, I had already written Missing in Egypt, a book inspired by a holiday in Egypt. Missing at Sea is the second book in the Anna Davies Mystery series. Several people each year go missing from cruise ships, so it seemed a good place to base a mystery.
Who helped you with the cover? Or did your design it yourself? What was your inspiration for your cover design?
I used CreateSpace’s cover design program for all of my books. The photos for the covers of Missing in Egypt and Winston – A Horse’s Tale were ones I had taken myself. The photo of Winston is in fact a photo of my favourite horse.
What are some of the themes of your story?
Missing in Egypt and Missing at Sea I describe as romantic travel mysteries, because they do involve some romance as well as vivid descriptions of the countries in which they are set. Winston – A Horse’s Tale tells the story of an Australian horse – his different homes and owners – as well as some stories about the horses he meets along life’s way.
Dangerous Associations was my first foray into crime writing and I had a lot of fun with Geoffrey’s accent and the power to kill off a character.
What’s your process when you sit down and decide to start writing a book? What is your process and do you have a system?
I wish! I tried hard to plan Missing in Egypt but ended up with writer’s block. Now I have a vague idea of the story and just sit down at my computer and let it tell itself.
Who are some of your favorite characters and why?
I love Winston of course, but I also admire Anna Davies as she quietly probes and questions to bring about a result.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Oh, so many! Bryce Courtenay, Kate Morton, Wilbur Smith, Colleen McCullough, Fiona Walker and Mary Higgins Clark, to name but a few.
Have you got anything you’re working on now?
I’ve just published Missing at Sea so I’m busy promoting it at the moment. I’ve also written the first chapter of the next book in this series.
If you could have any super powers what would they be?
To bring peace to the world.
If you could travel to any location in the world where would you go?
I’m fortunate to have travelled to many different countries, but there are always cities and nature parks just out of reach when you live in Australia! I’m looking forward to returning to Spain this year, after an absence of over forty years. I’m expecting a few changes.
Where do you hope to be in 5 years’ time?
Still alive! Of course, I’d also love to be a best-selling author, but that is the dream of every writer.
Thanks so much for taking the time to do an author interview. Take a minute and check Rita Lee Chapman out on the links below!
Rita Lee Chapman Author Website
Missing at Sea
Three years on from Egypt, Anna Davies embarks on her first cruise with best friend Sandra. A few days into the holiday they are woken by three blasts from the ship’s foghorn, indicating that someone has fallen overboard. A woman is lost at sea; the ship turns around to search for her, but she has disappeared into the night.
Was it suicide? Did she lose her balance and fall – or was there foul play involved? Did her husband push her? Would anyone be able to prove whether this was murder or an unfortunate accident?
What a perfect place to stage a murder!
